Foldable Drawer Assembly

ABSTRACT

A foldable drawer assembly includes a side plate association and a bottom plate selectively connecting with the side plate association. The side plate association includes a plurality of plates pivotally connected with one another. A storage space is enclosed with the plurality of plates of the side plate association. The side plate association is operable between an operative state and a stored state. When the side plate association is in the operative state, a shape of cross-section of the storage space corresponded to a shape of cross-section of the bottom plate. When the side plate association is in the storage state, a measure of area of cross-section of the storage space is less than a measure of area of the bottom plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a drawer assembly and, in particular, to a drawer assembly that is operable between an operative state and a stored state.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various stated conventional drawers, in which, the drawers each has its side plates which form therein a receiving space for receiving articles, and can be inserted into the divided spaces to resemble a desk. However, such a drawer still has the disadvantages which are mainly induced from the fact that the drawers are integrally injection moulded, hence the manufacturers must pay high cost for manufacturing the mold. Furthermore, the drawer occupies high volume to increase the transport cost as well as the storage cost.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,648 shows a drawer assembly that includes a container and a front panel. The container is provided with a horizontal bottom plate, two vertical lateral plates and a rear vertical stop plate and includes the front thereof opened. The front panel is made in the shape of a sheet, can be assembled on the front side of the container and is provided with four edges. Although the container and the front panel are formed individually and can reduce the manufacture cost, but the container still occupies high volume to increase the transport cost and the storage cost.

Further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,650 discloses a drawer assembly, which includes a bottom plate, two side plates, a front plate, and a rear plate. Hooks are provided on the bottom plate, the front plate, and the rear plate. Each side plate includes openings defined in each of a bottom member, a front side member, and a rear side member thereof. Each hook extends through an associated opening. A protrusion is formed adjacent to each opening for engagement with a hole defined in the associated hook. However, the drawer assembly has the disadvantages which are mainly induced from the fact that the drawer has too many elements, so that it is unreasonable and inconvenient for assembling, and the manufacture cost is increased.

The present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a foldable drawer assembly includes a side plate association and a bottom plate selectively connecting with the side plate association. The side plate association includes a plurality of plates pivotally connected with one another. A storage space is enclosed with the plurality of plates of the side plate association. The side plate association is operable between an operative state and a stored state.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a drawer assembly that the side plate association is in the operative state, a shape of cross-section of the storage space corresponded to a shape of cross-section of the bottom plate, and the side plate association is in the storage state, a measure of area of cross-section of the storage space less than a measure of area of the bottom plate to reduce volume of the drawer assembly.

Other objects, advantages, and new features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanied drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The illustrative embodiment may best be described by reference to the accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a foldable drawer assembly in accordance with the present invention in an operative state.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded, perspective view of the drawer assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows how a bottom plate disengaged from the side plate association.

FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of the drawer assembly from the operative state changed to a storage state.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a foldable drawer assembly in accordance with the present invention in the storage state.

FIG. 7 shows a cross sectional view of the drawer assembly accordance with the present invention in the storage state.

All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiments will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood.

Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “inner”, “outer”, “side”, “end”, “portion”, “section”, “longitudinal”, “clockwise”, “counterclockwise”, and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A foldable drawer assembly according to the preferred teachings of the present invention is shown in the drawings. In the preferred forms shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the drawer assembly includes a side plate association 10 and a bottom plate 20 selectively connecting with the side plate association 10. The side plate association 10 includes a plurality of plates pivotally connected with one another. A storage space S is enclosed with the plurality of plates of the side plate association 10. The side plate association 10 is operable between an operative state and a stored state. When the side plate association 10 is in the operative state, the plurality of plates of the side plate association 10 are pivoted with respect to one another to make a shape of cross-section of the storage space S corresponded to a shape of cross-section of the bottom plate 20. The bottom plate 20 is mounted to the side plate association 10. When the side plate association 10 is in the storage state, the bottom plate 20 is dismounted from the side plate association 10. The plurality of plates of the side plate association 10 pivoted with respect to one another to make a measure of area of cross-section of the storage space S less than a measure of area of the bottom plate 20.

In the embodiment, the side plate association 10 includes a plurality of plates, i.e., first, second, third, and fourth plates 11, 12, 13, and 14. The structures of the plurality of plates 11, 12, 13, and 14 are generally similar. The bottom plate 20 is made in the shape of a rectangular sheet generally. A first pivoting device 30 a connected between the first and third plates 11 and 13 to provide the first and third plates 11 and 13 pivotable with each other. A second pivoting device 30 b is connected between the second and fourth plates 12 and 14 to provide the second and fourth plates 12 and 14 pivotable with each other.

The first plate 11 includes first and second ends 111 and 112 defined at two opposite ends thereon. The first end 111 of the first plate 11 is pivotally connected with the first pivoting device 30 a. The first plate 11 includes a first pivoting portion 113 disposed at the second end 112 of the first plate 11. The first pivoting portion 113 of the first plate 11 is formed in the shape of a rectangular teeth structure generally. The first plate 11 further includes a first recess 114 extending from the first end 111 to the second end 112 therein.

The second plate 12 includes first and second ends 121 and 122 defined at two opposite ends thereon. The first end 121 of the second plate 12 is pivotally connected with the first pivoting device 30 a. The second plate 12 includes a second pivoting portion 123 disposed at the second end 122 of the second plate 12. The second pivoting portion 123 is formed in the shape of a rectangular teeth structure generally. The second plate 12 further includes a second recess 124 extending from the first end 121 to the second end 122 therein.

The third plate 13 includes first and second ends 131 and 132 defined at two opposite ends thereon. The first end 131 of the third plate 13 is pivotally connected with the first pivoting device 30 b. The third plate 13 includes a third pivoting portion 133 disposed at the second end 132 of the third plate 13. The third pivoting portion 133 is formed in the shape of a rectangular teeth structure generally. The third plate 13 further includes a third recess 134 extending from the first end 131 to the second end 132 therein.

The fourth plate 14 includes first and second ends 141 and 142 defined at two opposite ends thereon. The first end 141 of the fourth plate 14 is pivotally connected with the first pivoting device 30 b. The fourth plate 14 includes a fourth pivoting portion 143 disposed at the second end 142 of the fourth plate 14. The fourth pivoting portion 143 is formed in the shape of a rectangular teeth structure generally. The fourth plate 14 selectively mounted with a front panel 40.

The first plate 11 is defined with a first height H1. The second plate 12 is defined with a second height H2. The third plate 13 is defined with a third height H3. The fourth plate 14 is defined with a fourth height H4. The fourth height H4 is less than the first height H1. The first height H1 equals the second height H2, and the second height H2 equals the third height H3. The front panel 40 is defined with a panel height H5. The panel height H5 is greater than or equals to the first height H1.

The bottom plate 20 is rectangular in shape. The bottom plate 20 is defined a first side 21, a second side 22, a third side 23 disposed opposite to the first side 21, and a fourth side 24 disposed opposite to the second side 22.

The first pivoting device 30 a includes a first body 31 a and a second body 32 a pivotally connected with the first body 31 a therein. The first and second bodies 31 a, 32 a of the first pivoting device 30 a are formed a first hole 33 a, respectively. A first shaft 34 a is engaged in the first hole 33 a and connects between the first and second bodies 31 a, 32 a of the first pivoting device 30 a.

The structure of the second pivoting device 30 b is similar to the first pivoting device 30 a. The second pivoting device 30 b includes a first body 31 b and a second body 32 b pivotally connected with the first body 31 b therein. The first and second bodies 31 b, 32 b of the second pivoting device 30 b are formed a second hole 33 b, respectively. A second shaft 34 b is engaged in the second hole 33 b and connects between the first and second bodies 31 b, 32 b of the second pivoting device 30 b.

The first end 111 of the first plate 11 connects with the first body 31 a of the first pivoting device 30 a, and the first end 121 of the second plate 12 connects with the second body 32 a of the first pivoting device 30 a. Therefore, the first plate 11 is pivotally connected with the second plate 12. The first end 131 of the third plate 13 connects with the first body 31 b of the second pivoting device 30 b, and the first end 141 of the fourth plate 14 connects with the second body 32 b of the second pivoting device 30 b. Therefore, the third plate 13 is pivotally connected with the fourth plate 14.

The first pivoting portion 113 is engaged with the fourth pivoting portion 143. A pivoting shaft 90 connects between the first and fourth pivoting portions 113 and 143. Therefore, the first plate 11 is pivotally connected with the fourth plate 14.

The second pivoting portion 123 is engaged with the third pivoting portion 133. Another pivoting shaft 90 connects between the second and third pivoting portions 123 and 133. Therefore, the second plate 12 is pivotally connected with the third plate 13.

When the side plate association 10 is in the operative state, the shape of cross-section of the storage space S is corresponded to the shape of cross-section of the bottom plate 20. The bottom plate 20 is mounted with the side plate association 10. The first side 21 is engaged in the first recess 114. The second side 22 is engaged in the second recess 124. The third side 23 is engaged in the third recess 134. The front panel 40 is mounted on a surface of the fourth plate 14 opposite to the second plate 12. The bottom plate 20 is restricted by the front panel 40, so that the plurality of plates 11, 12, 13, and 14 of the side plate association 10 can not be pivoted with respect to one another. The first and second plates 11 and 12 are perpendicular approximately. The third and fourth plates 13 and 14 are perpendicular approximately.

When the side plate association 10 is in the storage state, the bottom plate 20 is dismounted from the side plate association 10. The first side 21 is disengaged from the first recess 114. The second side 22 is disengaged from the second recess 124. The third side 23 is disengaged from the third recess 134. The first, second, third, and fourth plates 11, 12, 13, and 14 are pivoted with respect to one another. The measure of area of cross-section of the storage space S is less than a measure of area of the bottom plate 20. The first and fourth plates 11 and 14 are parallel approximately. The second and third plates 12 and 13 are parallel approximately. The plurality of plates 11, 12, 13, and 14 are pivoted with one another to reduce volume of the drawer assembly.

Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiment described herein is to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein. 

1. A foldable drawer assembly comprising: a side plate association including a plurality of plates pivotally connected with one another, wherein a storage space is enclosed with the plurality of plates of the side plate association; and a bottom plate selectively connecting with the side plate association; wherein the side plate association is operable between an operative state and a stored state, wherein the side plate association is in the operative state, with the plurality of plates of the side plate association pivoted with respect to one another to make a shape of cross-section of the storage space corresponded to a shape of cross-section of the bottom plate, with the bottom plate mounted to the side plate association; wherein the side plate association is in the storage state, wherein the bottom plate is dismounted from the side plate association, with the plurality of plates of the side plate association pivoted with respect to one another to make a measure of area of cross-section of the storage space less than a measure of area of the bottom plate.
 2. The foldable drawer assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side plate association includes first, second, third, and fourth plates, with the first plate including first and second ends defined at two opposite ends thereon, with the second plate including first and second ends defined at two opposite ends thereon, with the third plate including first and second ends defined at two opposite ends thereon, with the fourth plate including first and second ends defined at two opposite ends thereon, with the first end of the first plate pivotally connecting with the first end of the second plate, with the second end of the second plate pivotally connecting with the second end of the third plate, with the first end of the third plate pivotally connected with the first end of the fourth plate, with the second end of the fourth plate pivotally connected with the second end of the first plate.
 3. The foldable drawer assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein a first pivoting device is connected between the first and third plates to provide the first and third plates pivotable with each other, wherein a second pivoting device is connected between the second and fourth plates to provide the second and fourth plates pivotable with each other, with the first end of the first plate pivotally connected with the first pivoting device, with the first end of the second plate pivotally connected with the first pivoting device opposite to the first end of the first plate, with the first end of the third plate pivotally connected with the second pivoting device, with the first end of the fourth plate pivotally connected with the second pivoting device opposite to the first end of the third plate.
 4. The foldable drawer assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first pivoting device includes a first body and a second body pivotally connected with the first body therein, wherein the first and second bodies of the first pivoting device are formed a first hole, respectively, with a first shaft engaged in the first hole and connecting between the first and second bodies of the first pivoting device; wherein the second pivoting device includes a first body and a second body pivotally connected with the first body therein, wherein the first and second bodies of the second pivoting device are formed a second hole, respectively, with a second shaft engaged in the second hole and connecting between the first and second bodies of the second pivoting device.
 5. The foldable drawer assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first plate includes a first pivoting portion disposed at the second end of the first plate, wherein the second plate includes a second pivoting portion disposed at the second end of the second plate, wherein the third plate includes a third pivoting portion disposed at the second end of the third plate, wherein the fourth plate includes a fourth pivoting portion disposed at the second end of the fourth plate; wherein the first pivoting portion is engaged with the fourth pivoting portion, with a pivoting shaft connecting between the first and fourth pivoting portions, with the first plate pivotally connected with the fourth plate; wherein the second pivoting portion is engaged with the third pivoting portion, with another pivoting shaft connecting between the second and third pivoting portions, with the second plate pivotally connected with the third plate.
 6. The foldable drawer assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth pivoting portions are formed in the shape of a rectangular teeth structure generally.
 7. The foldable drawer assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first plate includes a first recess extending from the first end to the second end therein, wherein the second plate includes a second recess extending from the first end to the second end therein, wherein the third plate includes a third recess extending from the first end to the second end therein, wherein the bottom plate is rectangular in shape, with the bottom plate including a first side, a second side, a third side disposed opposite to the first side, and a fourth side disposed opposite to the second side; wherein the side plate association is in the operative state, wherein the first side is engaged in the first recess, wherein the second side is engaged in the second recess, wherein the third side is engaged in the third recess.
 8. The foldable drawer assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first plate is defined with a first height, wherein the second plate is defined with a second height, wherein the third plate is defined with a third height, wherein the fourth plate is defined with a fourth height, with the fourth height less than the first height, with the first height equaling to the second and third heights.
 9. The foldable drawer assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the fourth plate is selectively mounted with a front panel, wherein the front panel is defined with a panel height, with the panel height greater than or equaling to the first height, wherein the side plate association is in the operative state, with the front panel mounted on a surface of the fourth plate and disposed opposite to the second plate, with the bottom plate restricted by the front panel, wherein the plurality of plates of the side plate association can not be pivoted with respect to one another.
 10. The foldable drawer assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the side plate association is in the storage state, with the first and fourth plates parallel approximately, with the second and third plates parallel approximately. 